emotional deprivation

American  

noun

1. a lack of adequate psychological nurturance, usually occurring in the early developmental years.

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Example Sentences

This results in critical emotional deprivation that is necessary for regulating children’s stress responses and normal functioning.

From Seattle Times

Marcus had to reintroduce Alex to their boisterous, ungainly mother and their strict, distant father, and also to a life where material privilege and emotional deprivation went hand-in-hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite such punishing work and emotional deprivation, Hsu somehow imagined a world beyond hard labor and became an eager learner.

From Washington Post

Moonlight is about emotional deprivation but it overflows with humanity.

From The Guardian

Shulman adds that for some, emotional deprivation, or feeling unloved, plays a role, just as it does with other compulsions, such as addiction to food, drugs or sex.

From US News